Completely Undigested Poops

[Zen Reptiles]

So for about 10 days now, my panther chameleon has had completely undigested poops.

Issue 1) he loves superworms, but has been puking them up.
2) he will pass crickets and roaches through his digestive system, but when they come out they just look like squishy, wet crickets, hardly digested at all.

He sometimes has very liquid urates.

I have had a fecal done and nothing was detected.

His grip is fine, he is drinking, he is hydrated, he hasn't lost any weight.

I don't know what is wrong.

He has a 75 watt basking bulb, his basking spot is 87 with the option of getting further or closer.

He has a 5.0 bulb, I have a UVB meter and it is fine.

I am using Repashy Calcium PLUS at just about every feeding.

He's got a ficus in his cage and some fake vines for climbing. I have been having to force feed him between 5-8 crickets every two days (he won't take them every day).

He is between 2-3 years old, closer to 3.

He is misted several times a day with a Mist King and RO water.

Any ideas? I've tried giving him a probiotic supplement with a syringe and it seemed to help for a few days, but didn't fix the problem.

 

[Olimpia]

That's strange, it sounds to me like he'd be too cold, but clearly he isn't if those temps are accurate. And if it's not parasites.... I might test him again soon to see if you get different results. Other than that I can't think of anything.

I hope he gets better soon and that someone can shed more light on this. How bizarre!

 

[moviemanmania]

I would also have him rechecked for parasites. Also, look over your superworm setup very closely and make sure there isn't any moldy food items or any bacteria issues there.

 

[Zen Reptiles]

Hmmm the bacteria from the food could be the issue. I have been using the water crystals for the crickets (which I never used to use since I only ever used roaches until recently having to order some crickets over the last few months).

Perhaps the water crystals are harboring some nasty bacteria that come in with the crickets? There were a few batches of crix that I got which were quite stinky.

I'll switch to carrots or something to hydrate them instead and see if that helps, and continue with the probiotics.

 

[moviemanmania]

Yes I would replace the water crystals if they are old and smelly. It is important to your chameleons health that the feeder bins be as sanitary as possible since they are living ontop of each other. This is obviously not how they are in the wild so sanitation become very important. I would consider using the product Repashy Bug Burger as I find it to be the best quality gutload and helps in keeping the sanitation/clean up manageable within the feeder bins. With the bug burger you don't have to use a water source although it wouldn't hurt to do so as long as its kept clean.

 

[moviemanmania]

Also, keep a very close eye on him and if he starts to look dehydrated or if things don't return to normal in three days or so I would bring him into the vet. What probiotics are you using? Are they for human consumption?

 

[Elizadolots]

I agree with getting him re-tested for parasites.

What time of day are you feeding him?

If he hasn't lost any weight, why are you force feeding him? If it were me, I'd let him go without food for 3 or 4 days then re-introduce crickets.

 

[ataraxia]

He has a 5.0 bulb, I have a UVB meter and it is fine. this is not going to cure your problem but i would like to know.. What is your meter reading? how old is the bulb? what type of bulb?

I am using Repashy Calcium PLUS at just about every feeding.

He's got a ficus in his cage and some fake vines for climbing. I have been having to force feed him between 5-8 crickets every two days (he won't take them every day).I dont understand how he wont take force fed content everyday.

He is between 2-3 years old, closer to 3.

He is misted several times a day with a Mist King and RO water.

Any ideas? I've tried giving him a probiotic supplement with a syringe and it seemed to help for a few days, but didn't fix the problem.after this, his feces is normal for a few days?

1. parasites...once a chemeleon "generally" gets to the stage of puking and runny poo's..their appetite will have fallen off the charts. keeping them hydrated and treated for parasites will be the only hope.

id take a fresh dropping into another vet for examination. the other vet may not have a clue wtf he is doing.

2. i think he has a bacterial infection...usually the chameleon will have an so so appetite, will eventually lose weight as he is not digesting his food, he will defecate undigested feeders.

this is usually caused from filthy living conditions and or filthy environments for feeders.

clean your cage out. make sure all feces is out of the cage before you free range any feeders. clean your insect bin completely out.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ataraxia/482-issues-body-region-internal.html

 

[sandrachameleon]

Why are you force feeding him so much? at that age, he really doesnt need that much food daily anyways, and you say he's not loosing weight.

Sometimes the symtoms you describe are due to a problem, like a bacterial infection, but sometimes its just that they dont need the food!

I'd stop feeding for a few days (continue to monitor weight, continue to ensure water intake is good).

 

[xanthoman]

daily repashy calcium plus(icb)+ forced daily feedings???????????????

checking my math

 

[jessica]

How long ago was he tested for parasites? Parasites live in cycles may be you had him tested when he wasn't shedding anything to find.

I would stop feeding him for a few days and give his stomach a break, may be offer some pedialyte to help him replace some electrolytes and then slowly put him back on food by only offering 1-2 feeders at a time.

If that doesn't work and you retest him and the fecal comes back negative I would definitley consider some blood work to see if his white blood cells are elevated. He may be fighting some internal problems.